[Allergic contact dermatitis due to methoxy PEG-22 dodecyl glycol present in a cosmetic cold cream]. / Eczéma de contact aigu au méthoxy PEG-22 dodécyl glycol contenu dans un cold cream cosmétique.

BACKGROUND: We report the case of a girl presenting acute allergic contact dermatitis due to methoxy PEG 22 dodecyl glycol contained in Mustela Cold Cream Nutriprotecteur®. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 6-year-old girl was referred with acute eczema of the face occurring within 12h of applying a new moisturizing cream, Mustela Cold Cream Nutriprotecteur®. Patch tests were performed on the upper back using the Finn Chamber technique with the European standard series and the patient's own cream. Readings were performed after 2 days and the sole positive ++ reaction was associated with Mustela Cold Cream®. Additional patch testing was carried out with the ingredients of the cream, with the sole positive ++ reaction again being to methoxy PEG 22 dodecyl glycol copolymer. The other ingredients were negative. DISCUSSION: Methoxy PEG 22 dodecyl glycol is a copolymer used in cosmetics as an emulsion stabilizer and viscosity-increasing agent. It is found in 20 cosmetics currently on the market, most of which are prescribed for children. CONCLUSION: Although it is rare, doctors must be aware of allergic contact dermatitis due to methoxy PEG 22 dodecyl glycol because of the extent of clinical reactions and because it chiefly affects the paediatric population.

A novel immunoassay using recombinant allergens simplifies peanut allergy diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) is currently considered the gold standard for peanut allergy diagnosis. However, this procedure that requires the hospitalization of patients, mostly children, in specialized centers for oral exposure to allergens may cause severe reactions requiring emergency measures. Thus, a simpler and safer diagnosis procedure is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a new set of in vitro blood tests for peanut allergy. METHODS: The levels of IgE directed towards peanut extract and recombinant peanut allergens Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3, Ara h 6, Ara h 7, and Ara h 8 were measured in 3 groups of patients enrolled at 2 independent centers: patients with proven peanut allergy (n=166); pollen-sensitized subjects without peanut allergy (n=61), and control subjects without allergic disease (n=10). RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent of the pollen-sensitized patients showed IgE binding to peanut, despite their tolerance to peanut. In contrast, combining the results of specific IgE to peanut extract and to recombinant Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 yielded a peanut allergy diagnosis with a 98% sensitivity and an 85% specificity at a positivity threshold of 0.10 kU/l. Use of a threshold of 0.23 kU/l for recombinant Ara h 2 increased specificity (96%) at the cost of sensitivity (93%). CONCLUSION: A simple blood test can be used to diagnose peanut allergy with a high level of precision. However, DBPCFC will remain useful for the few cases where immunological and clinical observations yield conflicting results.

[An outbreak of allergy to horses in children. A review of 56 recent cases]. / Recrudescence de l'allergie au cheval chez l'enfant? A propos de 56 observations récentes.

Over the past 11 years, signs of allergy were observed in 56 children and adolescents in contact with horses. The cases consisted of 35 boys and 21 girls, 35 of them were under 10 years of age. The main clinical signs were ocular symptoms (36), asthma (30) and rhinopharyngitis (24). All the children had very positive cutaneous prick tests and specific IgE (class 3 and 4: 62%) and were polysensitized. In several children, the first manifestation occurred at the time of the first known contact with a horse or pony. No further contact was usually the only therapeutic solution. In disabled children, allergy to horses must be considered when clinical signs of allergy occur during therapeutic riding sessions.